By Miss Debra Rae
The death of your dog, either through accident, old age or illness feels like you've lost your best friend. You may very well have. Dealing with the death of a pet and grieving for your dog is needed for healing. Your dog was a part of your family. Often from the time they were puppies. Even if they were adults when they came into your life, the loss is painful.
Once your dog has passed, grieving is only natural. We all grieve in our own way. Some of us cry all the time while others walk around like a wounded bear growling, some choose to isolate themselves for a while. There are still several phases we experience regardless of who we are and go as follows:
1. Shock/denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance.
All family members will go through these phases in one form or another and not necessarily in the order given. Give yourselves time. This includes the canine family members at home too. Allow the good days and the sad days. Join an online pet loss support group to help with the sad days. Crying is o.k.
The day I euthanized my dog was, by far, one of the worst days in my life. I thought my heart would break in two. I cried off & on for weeks. It took some time. I healed. It was hard some days. A month or so later I dreamt of my Roxanne and knew for certain she is in good hands and waiting for me on the flip side. I feel honored to have had her as a part of my life. Thank you for everything Roxy.
Children can be especially sensitive due to the loss of a pet. Allow it. Be honest. Please don't tell them their dog was "put to sleep." Children take things literally and “being put to sleep” could cause intense fear of sleeping. Children will also bring up the subject often. This is how they deal with their grief. Be patient. Be understanding. Let them know it’s o.k. to miss their canine companion and that it’s alright to cry or be angry or whatever they feel. Explain as plainly & gently as you can to your children what happened and why. If you need help, get it.
Please inform teachers, daycare providers and other adults in your child’s life of the loss. This helps to explain displaced anger or out of character depression. Know that time does heal the wounds and that it’ll be alright.
Understand also that the dogs still at home will grieve too. Even if they seemed to have barely gotten along with each other. Dogs feel the loss of their companion and will exhibit many of the same behaviors that humans do while grieving.
Here are a few tips for your grieving dog(s):
*Keep their routines as normal as possible.
*Do your best not to reinforce their behavior changes.
*Don't make any dramatic changes.
*Keep in mind, your grieving dog may lose their appetite for a while, so changing their food will do no good.
*There may be some howling; it's their way of grieving.
*Try not to go overboard with extra attention to your grieving dog. This could lead to separation anxiety later.
*If there's more than 1 grieving dog at home, there will be a redistribution of power. Especially if it was the alpha male or female who has passed. Allow it. Your dogs will work out their new hierarchy. Now, working this out will be a bit noisy since it's through scuffles, snarls, snaps and general sibling rivalry fights.
*Don't, under any circumstances, get a new dog to help with a grieving dog. Often the new dog will be rejected or tormented and then you have one grieving dog and one very anxious, scared, freaked out dog. Let some time pass. Allow the wounds to heal.
*When the human is ready for a new dog, and be certain you have the energy to train a new dog, then the dogs at home are ready (this is generally about 4-6 months).
To aid your own healing process,
Memorialize your dog. There are many ways to do this. Make a collage of the photos taken over the years. Put it with the other family pictures. Create a scrap book of your canine family member. Involve everyone who knew them.
Have a stone made with your dog's name on it. Put it in your yard. There is custom made memorial dog jewelry available, plaques and urns. There's also two books titled: "I Still Miss You" and Just Gus" that may also help. These can be purchased at most bookstores or online. However you need to memorialize & grieve for your dog, do it. It'll be o.k.
Losing a loved one is difficult and requires adjustment time for the entire household. Take the time you need, give others the time they need. Soon you'll treasure your memories and laugh until you cry when you talk about your beloved dog and the goofy stuff they did in their lifetime.
About the Author: Miss Rae has been a poet & writer since college at UW, class of 1996. Visit her site for all your dog’s needs from training programs & nutrition to choosing a vet & books galore. Visit Good Poopy.com.
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=226130&ca=Pets
Monday, February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Patio Ponds
By Ryan Rhode
Garden ponds and fountains were once mainly for the very rich. Today, anyone can have a garden pond. A fountain or waterfall can be included almost anyplace--even if your "yard" is limited to a patio or balcony.
Adding water to your patio can be as simple as setting out a shallow dish of water for use as a birdbath. Any shallow container at least 6 inches wide and a half-inch deep will work. Pie pans, garbage can lids, or flowerpot bases work well in small spaces. Fill the container with clean water and wash it every day or two. The wildlife attracted to the water will depend on where you place the container. Containers set on the ground usually attract the greatest number of wildlife species, from birds and butterflies to squirrels and toads. Hanging birdbaths or ones on pedestals will be restricted to those creatures that can fly or jump high enough to reach the water, and give birds a chance to escape from neighborhood cats and other predators.
If you want to grow water plants--and perhaps a fish or two--you can add a tub garden to your patio or yard. Many products are on the market today. Frequently, half whiskey kegs with plastic liners are used. Numerous plastic tub gardens are available in a variety of sizes and have the advantage of being lightweight and inexpensive. Small pumps can be added to any of these containers to allow for fountains or cascades of water. Moving water is pleasant to listen to and attractive to wildlife.
Here are some considerations before adding a small tub pond to your patio or yard.
If you want to grow water plants, choose a container that is at least a foot deep. While some water plants do well in shallow water, other species--including some water lilies--require deeper water.
Consider adding a variety of plant species. Depending on the depth of your tub, place pots of plants either on the bottom or on bricks to achieve the proper depth. Floating plants such as duckweed also can be added. Floating plants reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the water, which helps reduce the growth of algae. When adding potted plants, place a layer of stones on top of the soil before setting the pots in the water. This will help hold the soil in place and help prevent any fish from "digging" into the pots.
If you live in a cold climate, consider what you will do with the tub garden in the winter. Small tubs can be moved inside if a suitable location is available. Other tubs may need to be drained to prevent damage from freezing.
Caution: Use caution and take security measures if small children have access to your pond. Even small tub gardens can be hazardous. If you intend to have a fountain or waterfall, be sure a grounded electrical outlet is available.
Above all, have fun. Water gardens provide habitat for wildlife, but also can be an enjoyable hobby for you and your family.
About the Author: The Brand New “Homeowners Guide To Landscaping” Reveals Time Tested Proven Landscaping Secrets Showing You Step-By-Step How To Plan Before You Regret Wasting Your Money Like Most People Do. Discover How To Increase The Value Of Your Home By Up To 27% Or More.
http://www.home-and-garden-decor.net
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=4273&ca=Gardening
Garden ponds and fountains were once mainly for the very rich. Today, anyone can have a garden pond. A fountain or waterfall can be included almost anyplace--even if your "yard" is limited to a patio or balcony.
Adding water to your patio can be as simple as setting out a shallow dish of water for use as a birdbath. Any shallow container at least 6 inches wide and a half-inch deep will work. Pie pans, garbage can lids, or flowerpot bases work well in small spaces. Fill the container with clean water and wash it every day or two. The wildlife attracted to the water will depend on where you place the container. Containers set on the ground usually attract the greatest number of wildlife species, from birds and butterflies to squirrels and toads. Hanging birdbaths or ones on pedestals will be restricted to those creatures that can fly or jump high enough to reach the water, and give birds a chance to escape from neighborhood cats and other predators.
If you want to grow water plants--and perhaps a fish or two--you can add a tub garden to your patio or yard. Many products are on the market today. Frequently, half whiskey kegs with plastic liners are used. Numerous plastic tub gardens are available in a variety of sizes and have the advantage of being lightweight and inexpensive. Small pumps can be added to any of these containers to allow for fountains or cascades of water. Moving water is pleasant to listen to and attractive to wildlife.
Here are some considerations before adding a small tub pond to your patio or yard.
If you want to grow water plants, choose a container that is at least a foot deep. While some water plants do well in shallow water, other species--including some water lilies--require deeper water.
Consider adding a variety of plant species. Depending on the depth of your tub, place pots of plants either on the bottom or on bricks to achieve the proper depth. Floating plants such as duckweed also can be added. Floating plants reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the water, which helps reduce the growth of algae. When adding potted plants, place a layer of stones on top of the soil before setting the pots in the water. This will help hold the soil in place and help prevent any fish from "digging" into the pots.
If you live in a cold climate, consider what you will do with the tub garden in the winter. Small tubs can be moved inside if a suitable location is available. Other tubs may need to be drained to prevent damage from freezing.
Caution: Use caution and take security measures if small children have access to your pond. Even small tub gardens can be hazardous. If you intend to have a fountain or waterfall, be sure a grounded electrical outlet is available.
Above all, have fun. Water gardens provide habitat for wildlife, but also can be an enjoyable hobby for you and your family.
About the Author: The Brand New “Homeowners Guide To Landscaping” Reveals Time Tested Proven Landscaping Secrets Showing You Step-By-Step How To Plan Before You Regret Wasting Your Money Like Most People Do. Discover How To Increase The Value Of Your Home By Up To 27% Or More.
http://www.home-and-garden-decor.net
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=4273&ca=Gardening
How Do I Get Newts In My Pond?
By Derek Rogers
Newts are a type of amphibian that look a lot like salamanders. However, unlike salamanders, newts spend most or all of their life in the water. They are descended from salamanders, but branched off around sixty million years ago. Now, they're found in many temperate parts of the world, including Asia, Northern Africa, Europe, and North America.
Some types have a terrestrial form (referred to as an eft), that lives on land to find a new home, then come back to the water when mature. Newts are popular among pond owners. They're charming, cute little creatures in their own right. However, having a population of newts also means that your pond is very healthy, since these creatures have somewhat specific living requirements. If you're thinking about colonizing your pond with newts, or setting it up to attract these little creatures, here's some information that might help.
Newts are often food for other creatures. This means that having newts might draw some impressive looking birds to your pond, but it also means you'll have to pay attention to what's living in and around it if you want to keep your newt population alive. Carnivorous fish often pick off these little lizard-like creatures, making it hard to keep the population up. As well, if there are any ducks frequenting your pond, they may eat the vegetation your newts are laying their eggs in, giving them no place to breed. This doesn't mean you have to chase off all predatory birds or remove newt-eating fish from your pond. It does mean that it's a good idea to try to provide habitat and other conditions that encourage a thriving population that won't be damaged by predation.
Another danger that can kill stocked or native newts is the pump of a small pond. If you have a smaller pond which requires a pump for circulation, newts can be sucked into the pump and killed. Even if you use wire mesh, these pumps can kill very small newts. You can solve this problem by using an ultra fine mesh, or by placing your pump underneath a weighted upside down pot with a hole cut in it. Remember to use mesh over this hole as well. These methods will cut down on the number of newts you lose, and on unpleasant filter cleaning.
Newts can live in fairly shallow ponds, and prefer slopes with lots of plants. High density weeds will encourage them. A good environment for newts will help you develop a breeding population that will stand up to even predatory fish and birds. While tadpoles and young newts may fall prey, a pond that can support them will encourage their numbers to increase. Expect to see baby newts around April and May, if your animals are breeding. You can either make your pond suitable for the local species of newt that you'd like to attract (specific conditions vary by species) or purchase newts and stock your pond. The second is more expensive, but also gives you a better chance of seeing these animals live and grow in your waters.
About the Author: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For pond maintenance, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's of pond supplier specialists.
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=222035&ca=Pets
Newts are a type of amphibian that look a lot like salamanders. However, unlike salamanders, newts spend most or all of their life in the water. They are descended from salamanders, but branched off around sixty million years ago. Now, they're found in many temperate parts of the world, including Asia, Northern Africa, Europe, and North America.
Some types have a terrestrial form (referred to as an eft), that lives on land to find a new home, then come back to the water when mature. Newts are popular among pond owners. They're charming, cute little creatures in their own right. However, having a population of newts also means that your pond is very healthy, since these creatures have somewhat specific living requirements. If you're thinking about colonizing your pond with newts, or setting it up to attract these little creatures, here's some information that might help.
Newts are often food for other creatures. This means that having newts might draw some impressive looking birds to your pond, but it also means you'll have to pay attention to what's living in and around it if you want to keep your newt population alive. Carnivorous fish often pick off these little lizard-like creatures, making it hard to keep the population up. As well, if there are any ducks frequenting your pond, they may eat the vegetation your newts are laying their eggs in, giving them no place to breed. This doesn't mean you have to chase off all predatory birds or remove newt-eating fish from your pond. It does mean that it's a good idea to try to provide habitat and other conditions that encourage a thriving population that won't be damaged by predation.
Another danger that can kill stocked or native newts is the pump of a small pond. If you have a smaller pond which requires a pump for circulation, newts can be sucked into the pump and killed. Even if you use wire mesh, these pumps can kill very small newts. You can solve this problem by using an ultra fine mesh, or by placing your pump underneath a weighted upside down pot with a hole cut in it. Remember to use mesh over this hole as well. These methods will cut down on the number of newts you lose, and on unpleasant filter cleaning.
Newts can live in fairly shallow ponds, and prefer slopes with lots of plants. High density weeds will encourage them. A good environment for newts will help you develop a breeding population that will stand up to even predatory fish and birds. While tadpoles and young newts may fall prey, a pond that can support them will encourage their numbers to increase. Expect to see baby newts around April and May, if your animals are breeding. You can either make your pond suitable for the local species of newt that you'd like to attract (specific conditions vary by species) or purchase newts and stock your pond. The second is more expensive, but also gives you a better chance of seeing these animals live and grow in your waters.
About the Author: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For pond maintenance, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's of pond supplier specialists.
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=222035&ca=Pets
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